Conducting polymer-based absorptance measurements

A very common and useful approach to studying the plasma polymerization process is the careful characterization of the polymer films produced. A specific property of the films is then measured as a function of one or more of the plasma parameters and mechanistic explanations are then derived from such a study. Some of the properties of plasma-polymerized thin films which have been measured include electrical conductivity, tunneling phenomena and photoconductivity, capacitance, optical constants, structure (IR absorption and ESCA), surface tension, free radical density (ESR), surface topography and reverse osmosis characteristics. So far relatively few of these measurements were made with the objective of determining mechanisms of plasma polymerization. The motivation in most instances was a specific application of the thin films. Considerable emphasis on correlations between mass spectroscopy in polymerizing plasmas and ESCA on polymer films with plasma polymerization mechanisms will be given later in this chapter based on recent work done in this laboratory. 

---